Council backs proposal to save ancient cave art

A plan to save the world’s greatest collection of Pictish art from destruction has moved a step closer after councillors gave it their support.

The Wemyss Caves on the Fife coast contain about 50 carvings of Pictish symbols and animal depictions dating back more than 1,500 years.

Archaeologists fear, however, that the internationally important artworks could be lost forever to vandalism and coastal erosion if nothing is done to protect them.

A management action plan was put to Fife council yesterday on behalf of a number of history groups desperate to save the caves and their unique carvings, which include leaping salmon, horses and wolves, as well as some very early Christian symbols of fish and crosses.